Message from the Mayor:
Summer is unofficially over in Wisconsin, but the fantastic September weather continues, just in time for the kids to head back to school, and make us all feel a little guilty about spending Saturday and Sunday afternoons watching Badgers and Packers football. This Sunday, September 9th, Oak Creek will celebrate its 9th annual Pig and Chicken Roast from Noon to 4pm at Miller Park. Join us for some great BBQ, roasted corn, baked potatoes, and ice cream. Stop in early and you’ll still have time to settle in for the Packers-49ers game!

At the Common Council meeting on Tuesday, September 4th, I’ll award the residential and business winners of the 2012 Mayor’s Landscaping Awards. Winners were selected by a six-person committee in July, and notified in person this past week. First place for business landscaping went to the Masterlock/Honeywell grounds located at 137 W. Forest Hill Avenue, with Springbrook Cercle Apartments of Oak Creek (8601 Springbrook Boulevard) taking second. In the residential competition, Jim and Lauren Nommensen (901 E. Stonegate) took the top prize, with Thomas Bauer (200 W. Fairfield Ct) and Vic and Traci Seymour (731 Quail Ct) finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively. All of these winning properties demonstrate a commitment to making their community look better through the use of great landscaping and attention to detail. I also want to congratulate the 65 other residential and 35 businesses who were nominated. Thanks to my six member committee who volunteered their time and energy to visit and rate each property. The committee members were Rich Duchniak, Robert Kilby, Kristan Hren, Jill Schlidt, Doug Seymour, and Rebecca Lane.

Work continues on the planning of my Mayor’s Weight Loss/Fitness Challenge, with a tentative timeline of November 1st to February 15th. Wheaton Hospital, which borders Oak Creek and Franklin on S. 27th street, has committed to sponsoring and coordinating the series of events which will be held throughout the challenge period. Many area businesses and fitness clubs have already agreed to participate, offering incentives for new memberships, special 500 calorie menu options for health-conscious diners, and donating prizes for the winners. Any local business can participate, either through an employee weight loss program, designating a team for the competition, or by sponsoring a prize. I’ll hold an organizational meeting in the next week with all the volunteers and clubs who have expressed an interest in helping out. We’re also looking into promoting this event as a healthy competition between municipalities, and Franklin Mayor Tom Taylor has agreed to help us in our cause to lose weight together, and get healthier.

I will appoint Balhair Dulai to our Community Development Authority (CDA) at tonight’s Council meeting. This is an important next step in improving the representation of local government, by asking community groups and residents to participate directly in our committees and commissions. Mr. Dulai is a 34-year resident of Oak Creek, and a member of the Trustees at our local Sikh Temple of Wisconsin. Join me in welcoming him to the CDA.

Sometimes it is the little things that make a difference…do something to make your city better today!

Steve